5 Easy Strategies to Consider for Task Completion

Do you ever find yourself struggling to get a student to just do what you have asked?

Have you ever asked yourself what else can I do to get my student to complete work?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when one of your students is having a difficult time with an activity that might get you thinking differently about instruction.

• 
  

Weigh the value of the activity

 

Is this something that the child really needs to master or can he get through his school years without this skill?  Often we spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on the task rather than the instructional objective behind it.

Practice the activity 

To ensure that the skill is learned we need to see transfer.  Too often a student is able to do something we request in one setting but not another.  Try practicing direction following, listening, independent planning, sequencing, task persistence and task completion through a variety of media (such as art projects, musical games or motor activities).

Developmental appropriateness 

Does what you are asking the student to do follow developmental progression? Does the student have the pre-requisite skills needed to perform the task?  You may need to consult with your favorite developmental schedule or evaluation tool to get ideas for adjusting the level of skill expected.

Break it down 

When task completion is an issue for the student it may be due to the student's perception of the overwhelmingness of the task.  Try to break the task into parts and emphasize the completion of each part.  Document success for the student in completing each part.  Adjust the task so that the child can finish in a set amount of time.  This will develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence in completing tasks.  It is more satisfying to complete several small tasks than to continuously struggle and never complete one long task.  

Tell them why 

Often, when we instruct, we neglect to let the student know what the reason for the task is.  Identify the importance of the end product by explaining to the student the instructional objective behind doing it.  Tell them what the learning target is.  Sometimes the process in completing the task is more important, sometimes the end product is, be sure to share the reason with your student. This will help to build motivation, understanding and maybe, persistence to complete the task assigned.


Kathy Steffens is a Special Educator with 20+ years experience.  She is available for questions regarding district RTI implementation and staff development training.  You can reach her at RightResponsetoRTI@gmail.com

6 Immediate Ways to Enhance Classroom Learning for All Students

Accommodations to Enhance Learning

Curriculum and instructional accommodations can take many forms.  Accommodations are made to change how the content is taught, made accessible and/or assessed, but do not change what the student is expected to master.  The objectives of the instruction remain intact. 

Here are six different ways to accommodate instruction for students. What the teacher selects from day to day will vary depending on individual student needs and goals and on the particular lesson content and structure that is planned. 

1.  Change the number or quantity of items that the learner is expected to learn or complete

For example, reduce the number of social studies terms a student must learn at any one time or the length of an research project or essay. Provide graphic organizers to help identify important facts or concepts that need to be learned.  Increase the number of paragraphs to include in an essay for a student who would benefit from the challenge.

2.  Adapt the time alloted and allowed for learning, task completion, or testing

Individualize a timeline for completing a task.  Consider pacing learning differently (by increasing or decreasing time allowed) for some learners. Allow for frequent breaks or multiple testing sessions.

3.  Vary the way instruction is delivered to the learner

Use different visual aids, plan more concrete examples, provide hands-on activities, place students in cooperative groups. Provide for large print, audio tapes or technology when needed. 

An added benefit is that you will learn, by using a variety of different types of delivery, which methods allow the student to succeed.  Be sure to document the level of success you achieve with different methods! 

4.  Adapt the skill level, problem type, or the rules on how the learner may approach the work

A few simple ideas:  allow the use of a calculator to figure math problems; simplify task directions;  provide more manageable (friendly) numbers for calculations; use of spelling and grammar devices; change rules to accommodate the learners needs.

5.  Increase the amount of personal assistance with a specific learner

For example: Assign peer buddies, teaching assistants, peer tutors, or cross age tutors.  Provide additional instructional support, computerize practice or opportunities to teach others in order to reinforce skills. If needed, provide for a change of room or location; headphones or study carrel.

The level of support need by a student will be helpful to problem solving teams, should the student move to more intensive interventions.

6.  Adapt how the student can respond to instruction

For example: Instead of answering questions in writing, allow for a verbal response; use a communication book for some students; allow students to show knowledge with hands on materials; vary assessments to allow students to show understanding in a variety of ways.

Evaluating the effectiveness of accommodations should be an on-going process to ensure that it is working to help the student.  This list is not exhaustive, but is a good starting point for any teacher who is considering how best to adapt instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students in the classroom.

 

Kathy Steffens is a Special Educator with 20+ years experience.  She is available for questions regarding district RTI implementation and staff development training.  You can reach her at RightResponsetoRTI@gmail.com